Veterinary Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture is a therapeutic approach designed to enhance your pet’s well-being and alleviate various health issues.
Acupuncture is an effective complementary therapy for a range of conditions, including chronic pain caused by arthritis, spinal pain, digestive disorders, and more.
Acupuncture can only be performed by a licensed veterinary surgeon.
Find out more below:
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by interacting with the nervous system. The needles block pain signals and stimulate the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers.
Unlike standard needles, veterinary acupuncture needles are much finer and are designed specifically for therapeutic purposes, allowing for precise placement with minimal discomfort.
In cases that are not painful, acupuncture can also help restore the body’s normal functioning.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
- Arthritis and joint pain: Reducing inflammation, enhancing blood flow, and stimulating the release of natural pain relievers.
- Neurological issues (e.g., intervertebral disc disease, nerve paralysis): Improving nerve function, reducing inflammation, and enhancing circulation.
- Chronic pain management: Releasing endorphins and anti-inflammatory compounds, promoting natural healing and providing long-lasting relief.
- Digestive disorders: Regulating gut motility, reducing inflammation, and stimulating digestive function.
- Post-surgical recovery: Reducing pain and inflammation, accelerating healing, and improving blood circulation to support tissue repair.
Which pets can receive acupuncture?
At Aldgate, we offer veterinary acupuncture for dogs, cats, and rabbits.
While the treatment is fundamentally similar across these species, there are some differences in application:
- Anatomy and acupoints: Specific acupoints may vary due to differences in the anatomy and physiology of each species.
- Needle size: The needles used for cats and rabbits are often finer than those used for dogs, as they have smaller sizes and more delicate tissue.
- Duration and frequency: The length and frequency of sessions may vary based on each pet’s temperament, condition, and response to treatment.
Overall, while the fundamental principles of acupuncture remain the same, the approach can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each species.
Will acupuncture hurt my pet?
Veterinary acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not produce the unpleasant sensations of pain that we aim to alleviate. Instead, they activate other nerves that convey a more significant message to the brain, effectively blocking pain signals.
Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Mostly they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment.
Some pets even appear to look forward to the next treatment when they revisit the practice!
Will my pet require sedation for treatment?
It is uncommon for animals to need sedation when having acupuncture treatment. This would only usually happen if they were in so much pain from their condition that any touch or stimulus causes pain.
Surprisingly, cats and rabbits often accept acupuncture treatment very well.
How many sessions will my pet need?
The usual course of acupuncture is once a week for four to six weeks. After four weeks, we will know whether the treatment is working for your pet.
Depending on their condition and response, we will then create a plan that typically involves gradually reducing the treatment to maintain its effects for as long as possible.
If needed, we will recommend that your pet returns to their referring veterinarian for further evaluation if no improvement is observed after three to four acupuncture sessions, or we believe additional treatments or investigations would be advantageous for their care.
Is veterinary acupuncture safe?
While there have been no official reports of complications in animals, there have been some in humans, which can typically be prevented with proper care and a thorough understanding of the anatomy.
There are a few situations where caution is necessary when using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can provide guidance on these cases.
What can I expect during acupuncture treatment?
After examination, our veterinary acupuncturist will insert needles into various parts of your pet’s body, and these will then be moved or stimulated a few times.
There is not a set “dose” of acupuncture as there is for medication, so we will judge how much to do based on your pet’s response at the time of treatment and afterwards. They may become sleepy and relaxed during the treatment.
After treatment
It is common for pets to return home and sleep soundly for an extended period after their acupuncture session. This is typically a positive sign, indicating that your pet is likely to respond well to the treatment.
If your pet is not sleepy, there’s no need for concern, as this does not mean they won’t benefit from the treatment.
In some cases, your pet may appear more excited than usual, which is also a good indication; however, it’s important to keep them calm for the remainder of the day to prevent overexertion.
Otherwise, you can continue to care for your pet as you normally would after acupuncture. Avoid making changes to their exercise, diet, or medication unless you have discussed it with your veterinarian.
How will my pet respond?
Your pet may show one of three responses to treatment:
Mild discomfort or stiffness – The “dose” may have been slightly excessive, but it also indicates that they are likely to respond to the treatment. They should start to feel better after a day or two, potentially improving beyond their previous state. However, please inform us so we can adjust the treatment for the next session.
No response – Disappointing but does not mean your pet will not respond; it may just be that they will take a little longer or that their improvement after the first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We cannot say that they will not respond until after the fourth treatment. Not all animals or humans are acupuncture “responders” but about 70% will be.
Improvement – This may occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The signs we are trying to treat may return before the next treatment, but this is fine. After each subsequent treatment, the effects should last for longer, so that your pet may eventually not need more treatments for some time.